Earth is set to part ways with a small asteroid that spent nearly two months in its orbit.

The asteroid, identified as 2024 PT5, will be pulled away from Earth by the sun’s strong gravitational force on Monday. It became a temporary “mini-moon” on September 29 when it entered Earth’s orbit, having traveled from the Arjuna asteroid belt, where it follows a similar path around the sun as our planet.

As it prepares to exit, new evidence suggests this asteroid may have links to its origin.

According to Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, a professor at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, current studies indicate its fast rotation, with a spin period of less than one hour. This characteristic aligns with the idea that 2024 PT5 could be either a large chunk from the moon’s surface or a fragment of a bigger celestial body.

He explains that the prevailing theory is that the asteroid was propelled from the moon’s surface after various collisions, which have created the moon’s distinctive craters.

Marcos pointed out, “This object has helped scientists realize that material from the moon is likely a significant source for the composition of the Arjuna asteroid belt.”

What exactly is a ‘mini-moon’?

Mini-moons are occurrences when asteroids or debris from space temporarily orbit Earth. The duration of these orbits varies significantly; some may revolve around the Earth completely, while others detach after a few weeks, days, or even hours.

To qualify as a mini-moon, an object must approach Earth at about 2.8 million miles and travel at a steady speed of roughly 2,200 mph, according to Marcos.

What was the size of this ‘mini-moon’?

The asteroid 2024 PT5 measures only 37 feet in diameter, making it too small to be seen from Earth without a powerful telescope.

Marcos added, “This object is too faint for standard amateur telescopes. However, it falls within the visibility range of most telescopes used by professional astronomers.”

When will this asteroid return?

After being drawn away from Earth by the sun on Monday, 2024 PT5 will return for another close encounter on January 9, 2025, as per Marcos.

NASA plans to monitor 2024 PT5 using radar as it passes Earth at a significantly increased speed compared to its previous weeks spent in orbit.